Circulatory System

Question 1

Distinguish between the pulmonary and the systemic circuit:

Answer 1

pulmonary circuit = to the lungs

systemic circuit = away from the lungs

Question 2

Describe the process of heart beats:

Answer 2

Rhythmic cycle of contraction (systole) and relaxation (diastole)

Question 3

What is meant by the term the hepatic portal system?

Answer 3

Specialized part of the circulatory system that functions to transport nutrients from digestive system to the liver for storage

Question 4

Draw a schematic diagram of the heart

Answer 4

See notes

Question 5

Describe the fetal circulatory system:

Answer 5

The fetal circulatory system receives nutrient and oxygen rich blood from the placenta via the umbilical vein- this is because capillary beds would be likely to remove oxygen and nutrients from the blood. The ductus venosus bypasses the liver connecting the umbilical vein vein directly into the inferior vena cava. THe foramen ovale takes some of the blood entering right atrium to the left atrium and hence onto the systemic circuit. The ductus arteriosus is a shunt that directs most of the blood entering the pulmonary trunk (artery) into the aortic arch thus bypassing the lungs. Each of these structures closes soon after birth.